Selene sauntered back into my room after I had finished examining myself, her soft slippers hardly making any noise on the hardwood floors as she moved towards Agatha and me. Her confidence and stunning coordination in her human body made me quite jealous, but I reminded myself that she had not spent a significant portion of her life on four legs instead of two. The transition was bound to take time and I had to allow myself an adjustment period. Then I remembered that the person I was going to have to impress was also in favor of two legs and I was envious all over again.

"You look lovely." Selene said warmly, but I could see a glimmer of humor in her eyes as she scanned me over.

My expression fell immediately. I hadn't felt particularly breathtaking, I knew that the dress wasn't quite right and there was only so much that could be done with my hair, but knowing she thought the effort was almost laughable stung.

"You will look like a goddess once we get you a dress that fits you properly." She corrected, seeming relatively unconcerned with her slight rudeness. I briefly wondered what allowed her to talk to someone she assumed would be the future princess in such a casual regard. "Griffin is absolutely clawing at the door, impatiently waiting to see you as a human. Are you ready?"

I opened my mouth to tell her that I wanted to see him too. He was my ticket out of captivity. And there was an undeniable wave of excitement that hit me when Selene mentioned his name. I knew I should squash the feelings, I had a purpose within these walls and it was not falling in love. Yet it seemed impossible to restrain. I was delighted by the idea of Griffin seeing me in human form, but when I went to speak only an ugly, choked squeak left my lips.

Then I was faced with the reality of the situation that I was in as my face flamed with embarrassment. I was standing in a room more lavish than I had ever seen, wearing a dress that hung off my body awkwardly. I couldn't speak like a proper human and I struggled with moving about in a synchronized fashion. Only a few hours ago I had been a terrified, panicked wolf that had attempted to bite and claw at my rescuers. And now I was trying to convince the prince that- though I was a rogue- I was worth trusting.

Selene cocked her head to one side as her beautiful brown eyes skimmed me over, seeming to see my thoughts on my face. I could still feel a certain air of hostility around her, but there was compassion that coated the surface more heavily for the time being.

"I'll keep him distracted for a few more minutes." She whispered softly. "Agatha, please keep an eye on her."

A few seconds later the door shut and I had seated myself on the massive bed, holding my head in my hands. This should've been easy and beautiful. Mates were a wonderful thing but it seemed that the moon goddess was only concerned with destroying my existence.

"You don't have to worry, my lady." Agatha said softly, breaking the weighted silence.

I just lifted my head to stare at her bleakly. How was I supposed to do this? Every time I thought of those kind blue eyes my heart softened. Far beyond what it should've considering I had spent a large portion of my life preparing myself to take him down. Not that it mattered. I was an awkward, gangly mess. He could take one look at me and scoff, sending me right back down to the dreaded dungeon. I could tell myself a lot of things, but the facts were quite simple. I was a rogue. He was a prince.

"Prince Griffin is the kindest man," Agatha said warily, clearly speaking out of turn, but continuing on anyway "and I believe that you are what he needs to bring the kingdom back together: a wolf. We've been in such unrest with the humans attacking the werewolves. It's been an awful war inside our walls. I thought it ended when King Archer had taken over, but the fighting persists."

She opened her mouth to say more but the door was suddenly shoved open, groaning on its hinges. Her face shifted to an expression of stiffness. Agatha fell away from me, moving backwards until she faded ever so seamlessly into the world around her.

"Griffin!" Selene protested, quickly moving after the intruder.

"She's my mate and she's finally in human form, I just want to see her. Is that such a sin?" he demanded, sounding irritated.

But he was looking so handsome in a simple white shirt and navy blue breeches. My heart pounded at the simple sight of his thick dark hair and self-assured stride, even though his attention wasn't on me.

I scrambled off the bed, standing awkwardly as Griffin progressed rapidly towards me, his gaze still on Selene who was trailing too far behind to stop him. But his head swiveled forward and those blue eyes took in my stunted form in the lavender dress. He froze, his pale pink lips parting and his gaze sliding down my entire frame, then up, and back down again. it looked like he couldn't believe what he was seeing and it made me both delighted and deeply anxious.

Thinking back to the small amount of etiquette I knew I quickly attempted to dip down into a curtsey. Though I was trying to look elegant and refined- someone who was capable of being mated to a prince- my new joints didn't move the way I expected. My ankles felt weak under the weight. My knees locked in a strange position. And just like that my delicate balance was completely destroyed and I felt myself tipping toward. I quickly forced my body out of the awkward and submissive position, saving myself from falling down, but looking like an utter fool as I stomped on the bottom of my too-long dress.

"You are human." He breathed, like he hadn't been discussing it with Selene mere seconds ago.

I just stayed rigid, almost not daring to breathe.

Then that heartbreaking smile was on his lips, revealing perfect teeth and those dimples. In two short strides he was so close to me I could almost feel the heat off of his body. His attentive blue eyes remained on my face, almost like he was trying to memorize each one of my freckles. Ever so slowly his hands reached up from his sides, moving towards my face. The slow, steady movement was going to lead to a sweet and tender moment.

A moment that I wouldn't be able to handle right now.

I hesitated, taking a small step back.

"You're scaring her." Selene interjected.

His hands dropped instantly. The way his features shifted told me that he wasn't fond of the idea, but knew she was right.

"All of this is probably too much for her. Could you two please leave us alone for a few moments?" he asked, never turning his gaze off of me.

Selene hesitated, but nodded to Agatha and the pair left together. I wasn't exactly pleased to be alone with the prince when it was becoming clearer that my self-control was incredibly fragile.

Once the door had closed Griffin moved towards the large bed and sat down on top of the mountain of pillows and blankets. The gleaming smile still hadn't left his face and his eyes refused to budge from my body. He eagerly patted the empty space beside him and I felt like I had no choice but to sit down. I made sure to keep a large gap between us and my hands remained in my lap.

I watched him closely as he fumbled with his own hands. It was clear that he desperately wanted to touch me, but Selene's words were still floating around in his mind. And she was right. I was afraid of him. Not because I thought he would hurt me, but because I knew one gentle touch could be my undoing. Being in human form made my bond to him so much stronger. It was almost impossible to resist already.

"Tell me your name." he urged, clearly needing something to distract him.

"V-" my voice cut out too quickly for me to get the word out, and it was rough and hoarse already. I coughed hard twice, hating the gritty feeling in my throat.

"You aren't used to speech." He said softly, almost looking disappointed, but then he absolutely lit up again, "How about I try and guess your name?" he suggested.

I just shrugged in response, thinking that he wouldn't be able to guess the vibrant purple flower that my mother had named me after since I had fiery hair and brown eyes. It would almost seem like a contradiction. But the little game would keep his mind and therefore his hands occupied.

"Vera."

I shook my head.

"Venus."

I made a face, wondering if anyone was actually bared that name. He gave me an intrigued smile, clearly delighted that he was getting any kind of response out of me.

"Valeria." He suggested.

Another shake of the head.

"Victoria."

I gave him an apologetic look, thinking that he would never get it right.

"Viola." This time when I denied him he gave out a soft laugh, looking up at the ceiling. "I think you might be lying to me." I stiffened. "I bet your name doesn't even start with V. I bet it's something completely different like Lettie."

Lettie was a common shortening of my name, though no one ever referred to me as such. Hearing it tumble out of his mouth made my heart stutter. I nodded eagerly, thinking that he would be wise enough to combine to two together. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would be closer than anything else he was guessing.

"Lettie?" He demanded with a laugh. "I knew that you tricked me, what are the odds that I would get it right anyway?"

I thought about correcting him, trying to use gestures and mouth words to get him to understand what I meant. I knew that hearing him say my name would give me shivers of enjoyment. I decided that it would only cause more confusion and seeing those dimples that graced his cheeks made my soul hum with peace. I wasn't sure if I could handle much more than that anyway.

"You're going to be a handful, aren't you?" Griffin murmured, absently moving closer to me.

His hands captured mine which had been resting in my lap. The action surprised me and my body jerked away a little bit. I wanted to pull away, to save myself from the unravelling.

But it was too late. It had been too late the moment he walked into my room.

The way he laughed at everything, the way he smiled at me with unrestrained joy. The way he always managed to look so effortless and so handsome all at once. The kind way he spoke to everyone around him. The easy way he held himself and the optimism in his glowing blue eyes. It was all so wonderful and too lovely to deny.

When the smooth, easy vibration of pleasure slid up my arms and through my body from his touch I knew that I couldn't fight it. I could figure everything out later, for now I just wanted him to touch me. something that felt so good couldn't possibly be bad.

"Sorry." Griffin apologized, clearly seeing my brief indecision. But his hands still clung to mine and the almost blissful expression that was on his face told me that he wasn't truly that sorry. "I was always told that I would never have a mate. But you're real and you're here. And now, you're human." He breathed.

Ever so gradually he was nearing me. I thought that I should want to move away, but I couldn't make myself do it. I just stared at him as he inched closer and closer with every breath I sucked in. he was so close I could smell his soap and it only weakened me further.

"You're going to make me so happy, Lettie. And I promise that I'm going to make you happy too."

My heart plummeted in my chest. He was so sincere. I could see how intensely he believed his own words. And I knew that if I let him he would make me the happiest woman on earth.

But I could only bring him anarchy.

****What do we think of Selene? I have interesting ideas for her! I hope all of you are well and the world is being kind. Please vote and comment!****